Menu

“Some game. If you get on the side where all the hot-shots are, then it’s a game, all right – I’ll admit that. But if you get on the other side, where there aren’t any hot-shots, then what’s a game about it? Nothing. No game.” – Holden Caulfield (J.D. Salinger)

Well I did it. I read a book that I vowed in my younger years never to read. Beatlemania still goes on in my heart. The maniac, Mark David Chapman, that shop and killed John Lennon was “inspired” by the book authored by J.D. Salinger. Infamously after committing the murder he sat outside the Dakota and read his copy of the book until the authorities arrived. Naturally, growing up I wanted no part of the “evil” that took one of my idols away. I grew older and more curious about two things.

What made this book so outrageous that at one point it was on the banned books list?

Was there something in this book that could drive someone to commit murder?

So on a rainy night when I was looking for something to read, I pulled my boyfriend’s copy of the shelf.

Never have I ever been more annoyed by a protagonist in a book that I found enthralling! It was written in a way that was easy to read, and I devoured it. Holden Caulfield is a young man who is pleased by little to nothing Most people besides himself and some of his siblings are considered “phonies.” It’s not that I can’t relate. In my teenage years I too had a sense of superiority for what I felt was me having more culture than my peer. Nonetheless, a person with this quality still gets under my skin. I felt so alone in my feelings towards him throughout the book. All of the qualities that he saw wrong in other people, I saw in him. Towards the tail in of the book, finally his little sister tells him off. Honestly, it was a quaint coming of age tale about growing up and finding your place in the world.

After finishing the book a few nights after I started; I could see how it ended up on the banned books list. Less for the language and more for the content. Coming from the deep south I can sympathize with the view point of some people not wanting the subject of prostitution wanting to be published. But as far as this book taking one of the greatest musicians away from us, I think that a mad man twisted Holden’s hate of the phonies to his own immaturity and isolation. He used the book as a vehicle or catalyst to explore his own sick ideas. I hate that I allowed such a solid piece of literature to not be accessible to me in a time when it would have been more relevant.

“You’re alive, Bod. That means you have infinite potential. You can do anything, make anything, dream anything. If you can change the world, the world will change. Potential. Once you’re dead, it’s gone. Over. You’ve made what you’ve made, dreamed your dream, written your name. You may be buried here, you may even walk. But that potential is finished.”

Neil Gainman’s The Graveyard Book was a short, but surprisingly delightful read with whimsical and ghostly illustrations. I had doubts about finding much substance out of a children’s book, however it made me feel things!! Now I haven’t read the original book by Rudyard Kipling so I am unable to say if it is a fulfilling representation of that, but I am a fan of the Disney films! One can see the similarities in the story arch so you get a sense of nostalgia or deja vu as you read. These “ah ha” moments. As one devours this story you’ll see a character act a certain way, and it’ll hit you “That’s totally something Bagheera would do!” The book reads like an eerie but, not horrifying, tale that draws you into the life of this young boy trying to escape this man Jack who is on a mission to murder him. It was bittersweet to see him grow up and come to terms with what being alive really means, and for him to leave the ghosts whom he loved. As an adult reading this kids book it gave me a renewed sense of the potential that life brings.

It has been a wet and hectic week down here in the Arkansas delta. Between working retail at a local jewelry store during Valentine’s Day, trying to balance a healthy lifestyle, and plan an upcoming trip to the Ozarks I have stayed TIRED. But throughout all the rain and stress I prevailed!

I stayed on top of all of my work, and was even there early everyday! And not to boast too much, but I have hit a milestone this week. I woke up at 5:45 every single day and did Pilates before work, and was also able to do yoga every night!! This was such a major step on my fitness journey.

The stars must have aligned. In all the rain and mess that happened this week my day off happened to fall on the one day that 70 degrees and sunny. But that is winter in the south for you. I went out to our local park, and navigated the new roundabout they installed (to be honest they have always intimidated me.) I took my first run of 2018. It was rough, but cathartic. Listening to music, feeling the breeze on my face, and letting my mind go free was sublime.

Valentine’s Day was this week, and it was very different from the past few with my boyfriend, Justin. In January he moved to Louisiana to work on a oil pipeline near New Orleans on night shift. It has been a very big change for us and I certainly did not expect him to remember Valentine’s Day. Much to my surprise when these BEAUTIFUL flowers rolled into work.

We will be reunited again for a month in March!! So….. I’ve been planning us a trip the Jasper/ Ponca area of the Natural State. I have been scouring the internet for the best hiking trail for us to do, and a cabin for us to stay in. I finally settled on a best of the Buffalo River hiking adventure! It will take 8 hours to complete, but we will get to see Hemmed-In Hollow, walk the goat trail, and see historic settlements. My excitement is through the roof! Being locked up this winter has has had me feeling wanderlust like none before. Just one more month before I can spread my wings.

Although this week was wild, it was proof to myself that I can get things done.

Shine On,

Alexandra

Search

Follow Blog via Email

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.